Cheaper child care scheme

Page Tools

WORKING parents could cut their child-care bills by up to $128 a week and more women could return to the workforce if the Federal Government introduced a child-care voucher system, says the Australian Industry Group.

The voucher system, which is used in Britain and is being considered by the Howard Government, would boost tax breaks for employers to pay for child care for their staff.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout said the availability of affordable child care was one of the most critical factors for families trying to juggle work and family demands and was ranked as important as paid maternity leave.

Research commissioned by hotel group Accor estimates the voucher scheme could be worth between $98 and $128 a week to a family with a double income of between $60,000 and $100,000 a year.